Control mechanism for commercial laundry machines



common MECHANISM FOR COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Sept. 16} 1950 June 1 6, 1953 R. L. FITZGERALD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I LII-l attorneys Patented June 16, 1953 vireo 'sr S y it,

" r orrici:

Robert L. Fitzgerald, New Britain, Conn, ,assignor oi one-half to Hart A. Stoddard,

Conn.

Westport,

Application September 16, 1950, Serial No. 185,250

7 ()laims. (Cl. 137-387) This invention relates to controls for washing machines, and particularly for large machines used in commercial laundry operations.

In the past it has been the practice to use controllers or program devices for commercial laundry machines capable of being set to take care of diverse laundering problems, and to control the various factors of filling with hot, warm and cold water, high and low water levels, dumping, stopping, and providing varying time intervals for each of several washing treatments, as well as automatically adding supplies such as soap, bleach, blue, and sour, when needed. To take care of this variety of factors, it has been usual to construct control mechanism of substantial size and weight which required-mounting on the floor or wall adjacent the washing machine, taking up valuable floor space, and which are besides extremely complex and costly. Furthermore, when a laundry plant, due to normal growth, was to be converted irom manual to automatic control, the locations of the machines were usually found to be such that no room was available for the mounting of the program devices, and an expensive relocation project had to be undertaken.

It is an object of this invention to provide a washing machine controller which so exceedingly light and compact, that it can be mounted directly on the washing machine frame or on the piping associated therewith, and which is simple and inexpensive to build, but which is nevertheless capable of a full range of adjustment and flexibility of control so as to be suitable for use in the operation of a washing machine for substantially any purpose for which the same may be profitably employed.

It has been found, for example,- that many of the program devices heretofore devised :ior laundry purposes are capable of extensive adjustment in many ranges which are never made use of in actual laundering practice. The present inventi-on, by relating its structure directly to the laundaring problem, is made so simple and compact to be of an altogether different order or" weight and cost from that of previously known devices while still being capable of adjustment to take care of the formula variations necessary for the economical and practical operation of a conventional commercial washing machine. The device is of such size and weight that its mounting can be readily arranged to suit the needs of the par,- ticular arrangement in any given laundry without any necessity for machinery relocation.

Additional features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

2' In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the program device of the invention illustrating its opercharge line 2 I, a cylinder H33 in line with the seat ative relationship to the parts of a conventional washing machine, and with the parts in start position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing one end of a conventional commercialwashing machine and its connected piping, and the program device of the invention mounted in the preferred manner.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the program device of the invention to a large scale and illustrating a preferred arrangement of the operating parts, the direction of view being generally from the right front in Fig. 2, and with the main air supply connection removed.

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on line 4--4 of Fig. the air valve case also being broken away to illustrate the operating parts thereof, the main air supply connection being in place, all parts being shown in start position similar to Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken to the same scale and in the samedirection as Fig. 4 and illustrating the parts with the stop wheel in its first stop position, and the contacts in position to give the operators signal.

Fig. 6 is a section of a manifold water filling valve used in carrying out the invention.

The invention relates to the operation of conventional commercial laundry machines, one type of which is illustrated in fragmentary perspective in Fig. 2 and in diagrammatic'elevation in Fig. 1. The machine is designated [9 and includes a tank I? which has an interior, motor driven, rotating or oscillating perforate barrel (not shown) of conventional construction. At one end of the tank 52 the hot and cold water mains, l4 and it respectively, approach the machine and are connected respectively to filling valves i8 and 19 which form part of a standard manifold valve assembly 29 whose discharge line constitutes the tank filling conduit 2| and connects with the bottom or the tank 12.

Elie valve assembly 26) is preferably ofany one of several well-known anti-slam valves presently used on laundry equipment and may include the usual manual operating levers (not shown), one for each of the valves,'i8 and I9, and each of which is latchable in open position for release by a float control in a known manner. A section through the body of valve 18 is shown, for purposes of explanation, in Fig. 6. The valve is includes a port Hit in which the intake line I 4 is secured, a seat I82 communicating with the dis- I82, and a piston I54 slidable in the cylinder I83. At its lower extremity the piston I84 carries a valve disk I85 of suitable resilient material such as rubber for sealing against the seat I82 when the piston I84 is in its lower position. A restricted bypass is provided from the lower side of the piston to the upper side thereof. This bypass may be formed in the valve body, or may be in the piston itself as indicated by reference character I86 in Fig. 6. The Valve I9 is similar to valve I5, so that no specific illustration thereof is necessary to an understanding of its operation.

Connected to the upper end of the cylinder I83 is a pressure relief pipe 22, and to the upper end of the cylinder of valve I9, a pressure relief pipe 24. The pipes 22 and 24 are connected at their other ends with tank filling line 2|. Pilot valves 23 and are provided for closing off lines 22 and 24 respectively, and solenoids 23s and 25s are arranged to open pilot valves 23 and 25 respectively when energized.

Advantage is taken of the fact that .in all standard makes of manual anti-slam filling valves for laundry use, the cylinder I83 is larger than the seat I82, leaving an underneath pressure-receiving annulus I81. While this annulus serves no particular purpose with regard to the manual operation of the valve, its presence is significant in connection with the present invention as will now appear. When the valve 23 is closed, water under pressure entering the valve I8 through pipe I4 is admitted to the top of piston I 84 through bypass Ifit, so that when the cylinder I33 above the piston, and the pipe 22 as far as the closed valve 23 are full, the pressure of the water is effective against the whole area of the top of the piston I84 so that, due to the weight of the piston and the effect of the water pressure the piston is slowly closed, and is thereafter held closed. When it is desired to open the valve is, this can be accomplished merely by opening the valve 23, as by energization of its solenoid 235. Opening of the valve 23 relieves the water pressure in the cylinder I83 against the upper surface of the piston I84, so that the water pressure against the annulus I81 provides a superior upward force capable of counteracting the weight of the piston and slowly raising the same as the water in line 22 is expelled into line 2! through the valve 23. Whereas, in the installation of most electrical control devices it has been deemed necessary to make expensive changes in valving equipment to provide electrical operating means, such as the provision of substitute direct solenoid operated water valves, or large and costly solenoid operators for existing valves, the present invention provides an extremely simple expedient whereby all existing water filling valves may be used almost unchanged, and may become, in the broadest sense of the expression, solenoid operated, even though small, inexpensive solenoids 23s, 25s for operation of the pilot valves 23, 25 are all that is required. Furthermore, reconversion to manual operation of the valves I8 and I9 can be effected almost instantaneously when desired.

At the same end of the machine as the tank filling conduit 2I is normally mounted a liquid levelindicator in the form of an open topped float chamber 23 in which is found the usual water level sensing float 34) having an upwardly extending control operating rod 32, which in the case of the ordinary hand operated arrangement has a direct mechanical connection to the valve assembly 20. In conversion to automatic operation it is only necessary to disconnect the operating rod 32 from valve assembly 25, and connect the same to control device 40 in a manner hereinafter described. Reconversion to manual operation is just as readily effected by merely reversing the above steps.

The washing machine It is also provided with a conventional dump valve 34 which, for the purposes of this invention, is arranged to be operated by a pneumatic cylinder 36 as shown in Fig. 1.

The program control device 49 of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 2, and may be mounted at the top of that end of the tank I2 having the filling connection 2|, valve assembly 2e, and the fioat chamber 28, where it is conveniently placed for controlling connection. In particular, the controller 40 may be mounted on the pressure relief lines 22 and 24 as shown in Fig. 2 and this is the presently preferred mounting for the same, especially since it locates the device for convenient connection to the operating rod 32 of the float 3G.

The program device 40 includes a frame or casing 42 on which is rotatably mounted an elongate timing shaft 44. A constant speed motor, preferably a synchronous electric motor 45, is mounted on the frame 42 and drives the timing shaft 44 through suitable gearin 43 so that the time required for one revolution of the shaft will be suitable in length to cover any usual washing program. In the example shown the shaft 44, if continuously operated by the motor 45, would make one revolution every 75 minutes, approximately, in a forward direction (counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 4). A one-way connection in the form of ratchet 5!] on shaft 44 and pawl 52associated with the gear train is interposed between the shaft 44 and the gearing 48 so that the shaft may be manually advanced ahead of its drive, but may not ordinarily be reversed.

The other end of the shaft 44 carries a wheel or drum 54 by means of which the shaft may be manually rotated in a forward direction, and which also may be provided on its periphery or face with indicia such as the starting line A and other indications representing various portions of the laundry program if desired. A fixed index pointer P is provided on the casing I2 for cooperation with such indicia as appears on wheel 54.

A contact shaft 56 is fixed to the casing 42 parallel to the shaft 44 and carries a series of five contact operating levers pivoted thereon and swingable in planes generally perpendicular to the plane including the shafts 44 and 55. These contact levers are designated by the reference characters I-II-I, I-IC, LH, LC and D and each car ries on one end a depending striker member 58, further identified as 58HI-I, 581-10, etc., placed for engagement with suitable controlling sectors or cams, hereinafter described, mounted on the timing shaft 44 for rotation in concert therewith. The other end of each of these levers, is provided with a contact 60, further identified as GUI-1H, GIJHC, etc., which cooperates with a suitable fixed contact 62, further identified as EZHH, 62HC, etc., for closing a circuit. Spring means I54 urges each pair of contacts 60, 62 together and also urges the corresponding striker 58 towards the shaft 44. At the end of shaft 58 is also mounted another contact lever S which cooperates with a cam member driven by shaft 44, and which has mounted on its undersurface a slidable striker 588 which is held in rearward aeiaoso assembly or switch 68 which may be any suit-' able means for providing for the breaking of one circuit. and simultaneous making of the circuit through contact 60S. In the form shown a first class lever 68a. has one contact end urged towards a fixed contact 68b by a spring 680, with conducting material providing electrical continuity between the two ends. When the other end of lever 68a is engaged by contact 60S, the contact at 682) is simultaneously broken. A small externally projecting start lever 69 is mounted on the frame 42 and is so disposed that manual' depression thereof raises the forward end of .lever S.

For the sake of convenience in construction two further levers, H and L, are pivotally mounted on the shaft 56. and may be in all important structural respects similar to the first five levers mentioned. However instead of cooperating with sectors or cams driven by timing shaft 4%, their strikers 531-1 and 58L are cooperable with sectors NIH and ML which are adjustably clamped to a sleeve l2 rotatable on shaft 44 and fixedly connected to an arm 14 which is pivoted to the upper end of float rod 32. The sectors are of sufficient radius to engage strikers 58H and 58L and operate the corresponding contact levers 5 when disposed thereunder.

The timing sector members which cooperate with levers HH, HC, LH, LC, are designated liil-IH, flElHC, lilLH and 'HJLC respectively, and each consists of two 180 sectors clampable to shaft i l and adjustable to provide between them any sized sector between 180 and 360. While it will be realized that the sectors may be divided into smaller portions and more of them employed under each lever, the two-part, 180 to 360 adjustment provided is sufficient for normal purposes as will hereinafter appear.

Two time interval cam members are also driven by the timing shaft M, and in the present structure these take the form of a single disc '16 with cam members or pins projecting axially in both directions therefrom. For the purposes of this invention it is sufllcient to divide the pe riphery of the disc by threaded openings placed at intervals of approximately five minutes time in length inasmuch as intervals of five and ten minutes are altogether suitable for most washing formulae. It will be realized however, that threaded openings could be placed around the disc as frequently as desired for more refined adjustments if such were needed. As shown in the drawings pins l8, nine in number are spaced around the periphery of the disc in position to engage and lift the striker 58D, while five similar pins 89 (which may conveniently be integral extensions of some of the pins 18) are positioned to engage the striker 58S, first to extend the same forward against the action of spring 6t, and finally to raise the striker. Plateaus, or long fiat cam surfaces 18a and Blla are arranged one on each side of the disc 16 at a location which con stitutes the termination of the washing formula.

A push rod 82 extends upwardly from the top surface of lever D and engages the undersurface of one end of bell crank 84 which is pivotally mounted exteriorly of casing i2. The other end of the lever 84 carries an adjustable tappet 86 which engages the operating member 81 of an air control valve 88 which is suitably connected by line 96 with a source of compressed air and by line 92 with the cylinder 36 which operates the usual dump valve 34. A spring 94 urges the lever 84 in a direction to operate valve 88 to open the air line 90 into the dump cylinder-line 52, thus providing air pressure to the cylinder 3% and holding dump valve 34 closed. When lever S is raised, lifting push rod 82 and operating bell crank 84, the spring 95 is disabled and spring 95 within the valve closes oil the air supply from line 90 and allows the contents of cylinder 3t to exhaust through line 92 and around the loose-fitting operating member 81 permitting the dump valve 34 to open.

A signal lamp 98 is mounted on the top of the housing to call the attention of the operator to the fact that the machine is stopped and is either awaiting attention and restarting for the neat operation, or has reached the end of the washing formula-and requires recharging with laundry for another cycle of operation.

The electrical connections between the various contacts are illustrated more clearly in Fig. 1

. wherein conductors l0!) and H12 represent the main power line, conductor Hill leading to one side of the timing motor 49 through a main switch 16d. Conductor lot is also connected with contacts 62D and 6% by conductors IBM and lilllb, the latter by way of signal lamp 98. Conductor I82 is connected with the contact lever 68a, of the switch 68, and also with one terminal of each of the solenoids 23s and 25s by conductors lilac and it'll). Line Hi5 connects the other side of motor at with fixed contact 681). Contact 69D has a direct connection by conductors H35 and lilfia with contacts ML and 68H respec tively. Contact 62L is connected directly to contacts GZLC and GELI-I by conductors Hi8 and illta respectively. Contact 52H is connected directly to contacts 621-110 and BZI-IH by conductors I l9 and HM respectively. Contacts BllLC and Bill-1C are connected directly to the other terminal of solenoid 25s by conductors H2 and 2a, and con tacts BDLI-I and BilHI-I are connected directly to the other terminal of solenoid 23s by conductors H4 and 4a.

In the interest of clearly describing the operation, a sample program, as follows, will be adopt ed as a basis:

Time, Min.

Supplies Operation g l Soap.

This represents a conventional washing program and the one for which the controller is set 6 some signal provided to call the operator to tend the particular machine, where many are running at once as is usually the case.

To start the cycle the operator charges the machine with work to be washed, and with soap or suitable washing compound, closes the covers on the drum and the tank ii], and then manually starts the washer motor (not shown). He manually rotates the wheel 54 until starting line A is directly opposite pointer P. This places the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1 except that main switch I04 is, of course, closed. Strikers 58D and 58S have just left the plateaus 18a and 80a so that contacts 58D and 62D touch, and contact 608 is spaced from contact lever 68. It will be seen that the circuit to timing motor at is closed and the rotation of shaft 44 commences. Likewise both solenoids 23s and 25s are energized to introduce hot and cold water mixed to provide a warm water charge. The water introduction continues until the desired low level is reached, at which time the float rod 32 has actuated the lever M and rotated the low level sector 70L so as to raise the low level lever L. This separates contacts 65L and 52L which interrupts the circuits of solenoids 23s and 25s, and therefore stops the introduction of water into tank ii at the desired low level. The washing action continues for the 10 minute interval until the first of dump cam pins T3 touches the striker 58D and raises dump lever D. This raises push rod 82, operating air control valve 38 to close off the air supply from line 98 and permitting dump valve 34 to open and empty the tank I2. During emptying of the tank the water level, of course, falls and permits the fioat 3G to drop far enough for sector 10L to move out from under striker 58L. This action, however, does not initiate introduction of more water, for the contacts 68D and 62D, which are in series in the solenoid circuit, are now separated by the dumping operation of dump lever D. When striker 53D finally passes the first cam pin I8 the dump lever D drops back permitting the push rod 82 to dropand thus operating valve 88 to introduce air into line 92 and close the dump valve 34. At the same time the solenoid operating contact is reestablished at 69D, 62D so that the tank I2 begins to fill again. However, it should be noted that by this time (about 48 forward from the Fig. 1 position) the low level cold sector 'iQLC has lifted low level cold lever LC and separated contacts GDLC and 82LC, thus defeating the operation of solenoid 25s and permitting the introduction of hot water only into the tank I2 in preparation for the hot water treatment of step 2. While the dump lever D is being operated, the stop lever S is also being operated but in a slightly diiferent fashion. The striker 58s is engaged by the first pin 80, but instead of rising, it is first withdrawn forwardly to the full extent of its sliding action, giving time enough for lever D to rise and fall to initiate refilling of the tank. When the striker 58S finally bottoms, it starts to rise due to increased pressure of the cam pin so thereunder. When contact 60S strikes contact lever Ella the circuit to lamp 98 is closed to give a signal that the controller is stopping and that the laundry machine needs attention. Simultaneously the other end of lever 88a leaves contact 68?; breaking the circuit to timing motor 46 and stopping the rotation of shaft 44. This position of the parts is shown especially in Fig. 5. Simultaneously with this timing operation, but independently thereof, the hot water level is rising in tank I2 andgcontinues to do so until sector "10L separates contacts 60L and 62L to break the solenoid circuits and terminate filling at the low level as previously described. Preferably the time allowed between closing of the dump valve and operation of the lever S to stop the timer and to energize signal lamp 98 will also be sufiicient to allow complete filling of the tank to the highest levels normally employed to avoid signalling the operator prematurely.

The device now awaits the attention of the operator who merely manually stops the laundry machine drive motor, opens the doors, introduces the necessary soap, closes the doors and restarts the drive motor. Then, in order to institute the next step of the washing formula on the program device I ll, he merely depresses lever 69 (see Fig. 5) which further raises stop lever S a small amount, permits striker 58S to slide back to normal position under the influence of spring 66, thus letting lever s drop back to normal lowered position when manual pressure is removed from the lever 69.

The program device Ill continues to operate in substantially the foregoing fashion through step 4, the supplies introduced prior to step 4, however, being bleach instead of soap. At the dumping point after step 4 (about 192 from starting position) the sector 'HlLH hasmoved to raise the low level hot lever LH to separate contacts iiilLH and SZLH. Since contacts SSLC and EZLC have already been separated as previously described, no refilling of the tank can take place insofar as levers LC and LH are concerned. However, sectors IBI-IC and 'IUHH have also moved forward about 192 so that the high level cold lever HC has dropped to cause contacts BOHC and GEHC to engage, and high level hot lever HH has dropped to cause contacts BOHI-I and GZHH to engage. In this circumstance, it will be seen that low lever L no longer has filling level control, for the circuits to the solenoids 23s and 258 now funnel through high level contacts 60H and 82H, giving to lever H the water level controlling function. Accordingly the tank will now fill with a mixture of hot and cold water (i. e. with warm water) to a high level as determined by the setting of sector 10H for any fillings occurring within the next 120 of forward rotation of shaft 44. Thus each of the rinses in steps 5 to 9 is performed with a high level of warm water. At the end of each step the next pin I8 will cause the dump lever D to initiate dumping of the water in the tank I2, and as the lever D is released refilling will occur in the manner previously described. No stopping will occur at the ends of steps 5 to 8, because no charging of the machine with supplies such as soap, bleach, or the like is required, and each step will start automatically after the end of the previous one since no stop cam pins are present in this are of cam plate 16. Likewise no energization of signal lamp 98 will occur at these refillings. At the end of step 9, however, a stop pin 80 is provided so that a signal is given by lamp 98 and the timing shaft 44 is again arrested in the manner previously described. It should also be noted that before stopping occurs, and after the lever D has traversed the last pin 18 into refill position (about 312 forward from start position), the sector 'IfiHI-I will have opened the switch GUI-1H, and BZHI-I to prevent operation of the solenoid 23s and hence will prevent introduction of hot water into the tank I2. Thus, the last filling will be with cold water only. As the program device comes to a stop and the signal lamp 98 is energized, the operatorpeiforms the previously noted series of operations, the supplies used being, however, bluing and sour instead of soap or bleach. He then starts the drive motor and depresses the lever 69 initiating the last step on the program device H]. As the last step ends, both strikers 53D and 588 are actuated by the plateaus l8a and 80a and hence are lifted at the same time. The program device is thus stopped and the signal light 98 is lighted. At the same time the dump valve 34 has been actuated to empty the cold water, bluing and sour from the tank [2. However, since the plateaus .8011. and 18a require the program device to be stopped before the lever D can return to its refill position, the laundry machine is finally left with the dump valve 34 open and with no water in the tank 12 so that the operator needs only to stop the drive motor, open the doors, and lift out the completed work.

While the operation has been described with reference to a manually operated switch for the drive motor of the laundry machine, it will be realized that it is also possible to energize the drive motor in response to movement of a relay in the timer motor circuit whereby the drive motor runs only when thetimer motor 46 is running, if desired.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the device of the invention, while exceedingly simple and capable of being compactly and inexpensively constructed, is likewise an extremely capable instrument which can hal dle. all operations on a laundry machine for which automatic operation is desirable, and permits the operator to take over control at times when operator control is most expedient and economical.

In order to achieve compactness and reduce wei ht, full advantage is taken-of the fact that in normal laundry formulae the low waterlevel and high water level treatments do not alternate, but are grouped together at ends of the cycle, and further that hot, warm and cold water treatments do not alternate within either stage of water level operation. For example, in the same formula used as an illustration, low level treatmentsproceedfrom warm to hot and high level treatments from warm to cold. lningrmal cases no reversion to a previously used temperature within'the same high levelcycle portion or within the same low level cycle portion is needed.

Advantage is also taken of the fact thathigh water levels and low-water levels normally each require about one-halfof the total program time. Thus, by using only two sector membersfor each temperature at each level the disabling of the corresponding water valve at each-level can be adjusted to take place over between one-half to the. whole program interval. Of course, by using three discs per lever the cor.- respondingwater valve at each water level could besarranged for disablement over a minimum of one-third of the cycle, etc.,.but-suchrefinement does .not ordinarily prove necessary in practical laundry problems.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that there is still substantial adjustment permitted in either high or low water level oper-, ation as to which steps shall be conducted at which temperatures so'long 1as thedirection of change from hot to warm to ,cold or vice versa remains the same within any one water level range. Furthermore, substantial var ety-in-the numbe and. ength of steps is perimttecl. w thin a period anywhere I the framework of the overall predetermined time for one revolution of shaft M (and also with regardfor the limiting effect of the number of sector leaves on the permissible ratio of times allotted to high and low level steps) by adding, removing, or repositioning pins in. In addition a determination and adjustment of the number of stops and signals required is made possible by merely adjusting the number and placement of pins 88. 1

The sectors ml-I and ML, may be also adjusted on sleeve 12 toeffect cuteoif of the valves so as to provide high and low water levels of different hei hts as desired. V

.O'nce formula has been set up on the program device, it will also be found that minor variations in operation can be readily introduced. For example, if one or more steps in the washing formula are to be dispensed with during the washing of a particular charge of clothing, it merely necessitates the manual rotation of wheel 55 in a forwardly direction past the arc governing'the step orsteps to be omitted, and to the point where automatic operation is to commence again.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. For use with a laundry machine having a water filling valve, electromagnetic operating means therefor, a Water level sensing float an'd'ia dump valve: 2, control device comprising a timer;

a shaft driven by sa1d timer; a control circuit including two groups of switches for controlling said electromagnetic means; means on said shaft and rotatablev therewith for controlling the switches of one of said groups; means connected with said float for controlling the switches of the other group; a first cam means on said shaft; pneumatic means operated by said cam means for opening said dump valve; a dump switch I series connected in said control circuit and operated by said cam means to prevent water filling control operation of said control switches when said dump valve is open, and to permit filling con-' trol operation of said control switches in accordance with the control of said shaft-mounted means when said dump valve is closed; a second cam means on said shaft; and stop means for arresting-said timer operated by said second cam means, said first and second cam means being so related angularly about the shaft that the first cam means opens and closes the dump switch and provides a slight time lag before the second cam means operates the stop means, whereby stopping of the timer occurs just after the dump valve has reclosed after being valve has been actuatedto refill the laundry machine with water.

2. For use with a laundry machine having a water filling valve, electromagnetic operating means therefor, a water levellsensing float and a dump valve: a-control device comprising a timer; a shaft driven by said timer; a control circuit including two groups of switches for controlling said electromagnetic means; means on said shaft and rotatable therewith for controlling the switches of one of said groups; means connected with said float for controlling the switches of the other group; a first cam means on said shaft; pneumatic means operated by said cam means for opening said dump valve; a dump switch series connected in said control circuit and operated bysaid cam means to preventwater filling n ro uerat qn o s i to iw fs i h opened and the water filling said dump valve is open, and to permit filling control operation of said control switches in accordance with the control of said shaft-mounted means when said dump valve is closed; a second cam means on said shaft; stop means for arresting said timer operated by said second cam means, said first and second cam means being so related angularly about the shaft that the first cam means opens and closes the dump switch and provides a slight time lag before the second cam means operates the stop means, whereby stopping of the timer occurs just after the dump valve has reclosed after being opened andthe water filling valve has been actuated to refill the laundry machine with water; and a visual signal actuated by said second cam substantially simultaneously with said stop means.

3. In a control device for use with a laundry machine requiring the operators personal attention at a predetermined time, a timing mechanism; means driven thereby for controlling laundry machine operation; a rotary cam wheel also driven by said mechanism and having a cam projection representing said predetermined time; a lever resiliently urged towards said cam wheel; a striker mounted on said lever for sliding movement in the direction of cam travel; resilient means urging said striker to initial position on said lever, said stroker when encountered by said cam, first sliding against the force of said spring along said lever away from initial position until bottomed, said striker thereafter being actuated transversely by said cam and correspondingly actuating said lever; means operated by said lever upon said actuation for stopping said timing mechanism before said striker reaches the peak of said cam and for starting the timing mechanism upon return of said lever to unactuated position; and manual means for further actuating said lever transversely to release said striker from cam contact, whereby the same is slid to initial position clear of said cam by said resilient means, said lever when released by said manual means being moved by its resilient urging means transversely towards said cam wheel to defeat said stop means and restart said timer, and with said striker in initial position lying beyond said cam projection.

4. In a control device for use with a laundry machine requiring the operators personal attention at a predetermined time, a timing mechanism; means driven thereby for controlling laundry machine operation; a rotary cam wheel also driven by said mechanism and having a cam projection representing said predetermined time; a lever resiliently urged towards said cam wheel; a striker mounted on said lever for sliding movement in the direction of cam travel; resilient means urging said striker to initial position on said lever, said striker when encountered by said cam, first sliding against the force of said spring along said lever away from initial position until bottomed, said striker thereafter being actuated transversely by said cam and correspondingly actuating said lever; means operated by said lever upon said actuation for stopping said timing mechanism before said striker reaches the peak of said cam and for starting the timing mechanism upon return of said lever to unactuated position; manual means for further actuating said lever transversely to release said striker from cam contact, whereby the same is slid to initial position clear of said cam by said resilient means, said 7 lever when released by said manual means being moved by its resilient urging means transversely towards said cam wheel to defeat said stop means and restart said timer, and with said striker in initial position lying beyond said cam projection; and a visual signal actuated by said lever substantially simultaneously with said stopping means, and automatically Withdrawn substantially upon restarting of said timing means.

5. For use with a laundry machine having a water level sensing float, a dump valve and a water filling valve: a control device comprising a timing means; means driven by said timing means and means interconnected with said float for jointly controlling said filling valve to automatically fill said machine except when a predetermined maximum level is indicated by said float; a disc driven by said timing means; a first plurality of cam pins projecting axially from one side of said disc; a second plurality of cam pins projecting axially from the other side of said disc, the pins of said second plurality each being in alignment with one of said pins of said first plurality; a dump lever having a striker actuatable by the pins of said first plurality in turn as they reach a predetermined location; means responsiveto lever actuation for, opening said dump valve and preventing automatic filling of the machine, and for reclosing the dump valve and again permitting automatic filling when the lever is returned to unactuated position; a stop lever; means for stopping said timing means in response to actuation of said stop lever, and for restarting the same in response to return of the stop lever to unactuated position; and a slidably mounted stop striker resiliently urged to initial position on said stop lever, said initial position being in alignment with said dump striker, said stop striker being engageable by the pins of the second plurality, said stop striker, when aligned pins are engaging said strikers, being extendable without actuation of said stop lever to a degree suflicient to permit full actuation and return of said dump lever plus an added short filling interval prior to bottoming of said stop striker, and consequent actuation of said stop lever.

6. For use with a laundry machine having a water level sensing float, a dump valve and a waterfilling valve: a control device comprising a timing means; means driven by said timing means and means interconnected with said float for jointly controlling said filling valve to automatically fill said machine except when a predetermined maximum level is indicated by said float; a disc driven by said timing means; a first plurality of cam pins projecting axially from one side of said disc; a second plurality of cam pins projecting axially from the other side of said disc, the pins of said second plurality each being in alignment with one of said pins of said first plurality; a dump lever having a striker actuatable by the pins of said first plurality in turn as they reach a predetermined location; means responsive to lever actuation for opening said dump valve and preventing automatic filling of the machine, and for reclosing the dump valve and again permitting automatic filling when the lever is returned to unactuated position; a stop lever; means for stopping said timing means in response to actuation of said stop lever, and for restarting the same in response to return of the stop lever to unactuated position; a slidably mounted stop striker resiliently urged to initial position on said stop lever, said initial position being in alignment with said dump striker, said stop striker being engageable by the pins of the second plurality, said stop strikenwhen aligned pins are engaging jointly controlling said filling valve to automatistarting the timer; and a visual signal actuated side of said disc; a second plurality of cam pins ROBERT L. FITZGERALD. projecting axially from the other side of said disc, the pins of said second plurality each being References allied 1n the file Of this patent ix; alifitnmentdwith (1)118 ofhsaid pins toifiksaid fig'st 25 UNITED T E PATENTS p ura y, a ump ever avmg a s r er ac u- 7 atable by the pins of said first plurality inturn ggi g g Se PE as they reach a predetermined location; means ,1 Ha f 1918 responsive to lever actuation for opening said 2o64053 Balgzer 1936 dump valve and preventing automatic filling of 30 2113'490 Newbe 2 1938 the machine, and for reclosing the dump valve 2266241 1941 and again permitting automatic filling when the 2302923 f; 1942 lever is returned to unactuated position; a stop 2328'073 Harm A 1943 lever; means for stopping said timing means in 2346259 H s; 1944 response to actuation of said stop lever, and for 35 2355'162 Hovey gs 1944 said strikers, being extendable without actuation mounted stop striker resiliently urged to initial of said stop lever to a degree suificient to permit position on said stop lever, said initial position full actuation and return of said dump lever plus being in alignment with said dump striker, said an added short filling interval prior to bottomstop striker being engageable by the pins of the ing of said stop striker and consequent actuation 5 second plurality, said stop striker, when aligned of said stop lever; and manual means for further pins are engaging said strikers, being 'extendable actuating said stop lever to permit retraction of without actuation of said stop lever to a degree said sto striker to initial position whereby said sufficient to permit full actuation and return of stop lever can be retracted to unactuated position said dump lever plus an added short filling interwith said slidable striker at the other side of the val prior to bottoming of said stop striker and actuating pin, thus restarting the timer. consequent actuation of said stop lever; manual '7. For use with a laundry machine having a means for further actuating said stop lever to water level sensing float, a dump valve and a permit retraction of said stop striker to initial water filling valve: a control device comprising a position whereby said stop lever can be retracted timing means; means driven by said timing means to unactuated position with said slidable striker and means interconnected with said float for at the other side of the actuating pin, thus recally fill said machine except when a predeterby said stop lever substantially simultaneously mined maximum level is indicated by said float; withsaid stopping means, and automatically witha disc driven by said timing means; a first pludrawnsubstantially upon restarting of said timrality of cam pins projecting axially from one ing means.

restarting the same in response to return of the stop lever to unactuated position; a slidably 2548651 Cha'ce 1951 

